Erling Haaland showed why every big club in Europe was chasing his signature this summer with a goal-scoring masterclass as Manchester City made the perfect start to their Premier League title defence with a 2-0 victory over West Ham United.
The Norwegian striker stuttered on his City debut in the Community Shield defeat to Liverpool but after 90 minutes at the London Stadium, any doubts about him being a success in England will have disappeared.
His opener may have come from the penalty spot, but Haaland drew the foul from Alphonse Areola with his electric pace seeing him latch onto Ilkay Gundogan’s short pass ahead of the Hammers’ goalkeeper.
The second was a replica of so many of the goals that he scored during his brilliant period at Borussia Dortmund, racing clear of the West Ham back-four to confidently finish Kevin De Bruyne’s pass.
City’s last Premier League away match was a nervy 2-2 draw at the London Stadium but the difference just over two months on was massive as they controlled the game throughout.
Now in possession of a striker capable of finishing off the many chances they always create, City claimed a victory that will have have terrified their title rivals...